Helldivers 2, the popular strategic shooter, is undergoing severe criticism from its Steam user base following an announcement by Sony. The company has stated that Steam players will be required to connect their accounts to PlayStation Network (PSN). Initially, this step was part of the game’s launch protocol but it became optional after facing technical issues. The decision to reintroduce the PSN link has elicited a strong response, resulting in an onslaught of negative reviews on Steam.
Helldivers 2 Experiences a Tsunami of Over 17,500 Negative Steam Reviews
On Thursday, May 2, at 8:33 PM Eastern/5:33 PM Pacific, Sony notified the Steam community of the upcoming PSN requirement through a Steam post, which led to a flood of negative reviews the following day. As per the latest data, more than 17,500 Steam users have submitted negative reviews within 24 hours. This has caused the game’s overall rating to plummet significantly, going from “Mostly Positive” to a “Mixed” status in terms of recent reviews.
One particularly scathing review humorously suggested that “The Automatons have taken over Sony headquarters,” which found resonance with over 11,700 users who rated it helpful, among others who expressed their discontent in a similar vein.
A frustrated player stated, “I bought this game on Steam with the intention of playing it on Steam. I do not have a PlayStation account nor do I intend to create one. This compulsory linking to continue playing the game months after its launch is simply not right.”
There are also certain players for whom the new policy poses a barrier to play. A user from Estonia voiced their concerns on Reddit, explaining that they are unable to create a PSN account, effectively barring them from accessing the game.
Despite the outrage, Sony maintains that the integration of PSN with Helldivers 2 is primarily to mitigate the possibilities of player abuse. Sony asserts that this connection will facilitate the effective management of griefing and allows for an appeal process for banned players. However, some members of the gaming community are skeptical, suspecting financial motives behind the move rather than player safety.
The policy will be active from May 6, with Helldivers 2 players being given until May 30 to experience the game without mandatory login. Post this period, players have until June 4 to connect their Steam and PSN accounts to continue enjoying the game.
FAQs About Helldivers 2 Mandatory PSN Linkage on Steam
Why is Sony enforcing a PSN link for Helldivers 2 on Steam?
Sony claims that the PSN requirement is to help combat griefing and abuse within the game, by allowing them to ban players who engage in such behaviors and enable banned players to appeal.
How has the Steam community reacted to this announcement?
The Steam community has largely reacted negatively, resulting in over 17,500 negative reviews in just one day, citing concerns about consumer rights and accessibility issues for players in certain regions.
Can I still play Helldivers 2 on Steam without linking a PSN account?
Players will be able to play without linking their PSN account until May 30. However, after this date, linking a PSN account will become mandatory to continue playing. The final deadline for linking accounts is June 4.
What if I live in a country where creating a PSN account isn’t possible?
In such cases, players will unfortunately be unable to play Helldivers 2 after the PSN link requirement goes into effect.
Conclusion
The reintroduction of a mandatory PSN account linkage to play Helldivers 2 on Steam has resulted in a significant upset within the gaming community. The inconvenience to players, potential regional lockouts, and suspicions about the true motives behind the decision have led to an overwhelming number of negative reviews that have tarnished the game’s reputation on Steam. While Sony insists the move is in the interest of the community’s well-being, the real impact of this policy change remains to be seen as the deadline for mandatory PSN account linkage approaches.